Therapeutical bed-pad



Aug. 14,- 1934. w SHORT 1,970,200

THERAPEUTICAL BED PAD Filed Sept. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 InvenlorWingfred M. Shari l0 a. Q 4+ By flllomey Aug. 14, 1934. w. M. SHORTTHERAPEUTICAL BED PAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12 1932 WinfredMS'lzori Patented Aug. 14, 1934 UNITED STATES ?ATENT OFFHUE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to therapeutical bedpads, and in accordance withthe present invention a pad for use of invalids is provided, and ischaracterized by the provision of a plurality of compartments, eachhaving extending therethrough a tubing thru which a heating or a coolingmedium, such as hot or cold water, or a suitable chemical solution, maybe caused to circulate for the purpose of heating or cooling the 0interior of one or more selected sections of the pad.

The invention together with its numerous objects and advantages will bereadily understood from a study of the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the pad, with the top member of the padin position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the pad with the top member removed.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken substantially on the line 33 andline 4-4 respectively of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an end portion of the pad with the topcover of the pad. removed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, it

will be seen that the pad comprises a box-like structure, preferablyrectangular in plan and designated by the reference character 5. Thebox-like body 5 of the pad is made of any suitable material and is openat its top. The outer face of the bottom 6 of the pad is covered with asheet of suitable insulating material 7.

v The top cover designated by the reference numeral 8 is adapted to besecured at its edges, to the upper edges of the walls of the box-likebody 5 in any suitable manner, preferably in a manner to permit thecover 8 to be readily removed. Obviously detachable fastening elements,such as the well known type of zipper fastener or the like may beemployed for securing the marginal edge of the cover 8 to the upperedges of the walls of the body 5. The cover 8 is made of suitableresilient material, and the box-like body 5 is also formed of a suitableflexible material.

Spaced transverse partitions 9 divide the body of the pad into endcompartments 10 and an intermediate compartment 11.

, Each of the compartments 10, 11 is provided with a pair of supportingribs or partitions 12,

together with pairs of supporting ribs or partitions 13 extending atright angles to the partitions 12.

, Each partition 12 adjacent one end thereof is 'provided with avertical notch 14, while each of the partitions 13 is provided with apair of relatively spaced notches 15. Arranged within each of thesections 10, 11, is a tube 16, each tube as shown, comprising aplurality of U-shaped sections, interconnected, the tube being formed ofone piece, and it will be seen that each tube is supported by the ribsor partitions 12, 13, the notches 14 and 15 accommodating the straightand curved portions respectively of the tube as will be clear from astudy of Figs. 2 to 4 inelusive.

Each tube 16 has its ends 16a extending through apertures providedtherefor in the sides of the body 5. The apertures accommodating theends of the tubes 16 are designated by the reference character 17.

From the description of the invention thus far, it will be apparent thatthe tubes 16 are almost substantially wholly confined within the pad,and. each tube may have one end thereof connected with a suitable sourceof supply, whereby heating or cooling means, such as steam, hot or coldwater, or a chemical solution, may be forced into the end of the saidtube, and flow thru the coils of the tube to pass from the tube at theother end of the tube. It is apparent that all the tubes, or a desirednumber of the same may be used at the same time, dependent on just howmuch of the area of the bag is to be heated or cooled.

It is also apparent that the tubes may be formed of flexible material,and may be made of rubber or the like.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodimentof the invention, it is a to be understood that the same is susceptibleof further changes,.m0difications and improvements coming within thescope of the appended claims. Having thus described my invention what Iclaim as new is:

1. A pad of the character described comprising a body having an internalchamber, a plurality of relatively spaced flexible conduit tubesextending thru the chamber, each conduit having an inlet and an outlet;and relatively angularly arranged partitions in the chambers andprovided with notches in their upper edges to receive said tubes and toretain the latter distorted to provide sinuous passages through saidchamber.

2. A pad of the character described comprising a box-like body, spacedpartitions arranged in the body and dividing the same into a pluralityof sections, a sinuous conduit tube arranged in each of said sections,and angularly related partitions arranged in each chamber and providedWith notches in their upper edges receiving por- 0 and an outlet, andeach of said sections having arranged therein a plurality of relativelyangularly disposed partitions supporting a tube and retaining the latterdistorted to provide a sinuous passage through the section.

WINIFRED MARGARET SHORT.

